Mitch McConnell: we can craf a bill that keeps its focus on low-income children and can actually receive a presidential signature. that's the way to accomplish real results for the american people. we stand ready

Robert Byrd: and willing to do that. madam president, i yield the floor. mr. byrd: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from west virginia. mr. byrd: madam president, what is the matter before the

Robert Byrd: senate? the presiding officer: the motion to proceed to the children's health insurance program. mr. byrd: i ask unanimous consent that i may speak as if in morning business. the presiding officer: without

Robert Byrd: objection, so ordered. mr. byrd: and that i speak out of order. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. byrd: madam president, i commend and offer my wholehearted support for the resolution that

Robert Byrd: senator durbin has introduced. his resolution, which i am proud to cosponsor, is a simple, clear statement of a fundamental constitutional principle, namely, that the congress, and only the congress, has

Robert Byrd: the power to declare war. as this resolution states, any offensive military action taken byhe united states against iran must be explicitly approved by congress before such action may be initiated.~ madam

Robert Byrd: president, the president is the commander in chief of the armed forces, but, madam president, the president of the united states, although commander in chief of the armed forces, is not a dictator.

Robert Byrd: the president is not an emperor. he is president, who like all presidents takes an oath of fealty -- f-e-a-l-t-y -- fealty to the constitution of the united states. it is the american people -- the american

Robert Byrd: people -- who pay the price of war in blood and in treasure, and it is the american people, through their representatives in congress -- that means us -- who must give their approval -- the approval

Robert Byrd: the american people -- for such a momentous decision. that is the system that george washington recognize ed when he presented his resignation to the continental congress. that is the system that